Method and systems of mobile data processing device based remote monitoring of a firefighter air replenishment system providing access to breathable air

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are a method and systems of remote monitoring of a sensor integrated safety system of a structure through a mobile data processing device. In accordance therewith, the mobile data processing device executes a component of a computing platform for the sensor integration therethrough. The mobile data processing device executing the component of the computing platform monitors the safety system and/or one or more components of a number of components thereof remotely based on collecting a number of parameters of the number of components of the safety system and/or of access thereof through detection of the number of parameters via a set of sensors associated with the number of components of the safety system. The number of parameters includes one or more parameter(s) related to breathable air from a source within the safety system supplied thereacross via a fixed piping system implemented therein and/or access of the breathable air.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This Application is a conversion application of, and claims priority to,U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/356,996 titled CLOUD-BASEDFIREFIGHTING AIR REPLENISHMENT MONITORING SYSTEM, SENSORS AND METHODSfiled on Jun. 29, 2022 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.63/359,882 titled REMOTE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF A FIREFIGHTER AIRREPLENISHMENT SYSTEM THROUGH SENSORS DISTRIBUTED WITHIN COMPONENTS OFTHE FIREFIGHTER AIR REPLENISHMENT SYSTEM filed on Jul. 11, 2022. Thecontents of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein byreference in entirety thereof.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

This disclosure relates generally to emergency systems and, moreparticularly, to a method and/or systems of mobile data processingdevice based remote monitoring of a safety system of a structureproviding access to breathable air.

BACKGROUND

A structure (e.g., a vertical building, a horizontal building, a tunnel,marine craft) may have a Firefighter Air Replenishment System (FARS)implemented therein. The FARS may have an emergency air fill stationtherein to enable firefighters and/or emergency personnel accessbreathable air therethrough. The FARS may have other components relevantto critical functioning thereof. However, tracking parameters (e.g.,pressure of the breathable air supplied) of the FARS critical to thefunctioning and/or the maintenance thereof may be difficult due to amonolithic and/or a standalone implementation of the components of theFARS. In order to monitor the FARS, maintenance personnel may have tocollect data from individual components thereof in a process that istedious and/or inefficient.

SUMMARY

Disclosed are a method and/or systems of mobile data processing devicebased remote monitoring of a safety system of a structure providingaccess to breathable air.

In one aspect, a method of a safety system of a structure having a fixedpiping system implemented therein to supply breathable air from a sourceacross the safety system is disclosed. The method includes integrating acomputing platform executing on a data processing device with a set ofsensors associated with a number of components of the safety system, andexecuting a component of the computing platform on a mobile dataprocessing device communicatively coupled to the data processing devicethrough a computer network. The method also includes, in accordance withthe execution of the component of the computing platform on the mobiledata processing device and the integration of the computing platformwith the set of sensors, monitoring, through the mobile data processingdevice, the safety system and/or one or components of the number ofcomponents thereof remotely based on collecting a number of parametersof the number of components of the safety system and/or of accessthereof through detection of the number of parameters via the set ofsensors. The number of parameters includes one or more parameter(s)related to the breathable air and/or access of the breathable air.

In another aspect, a safety system of a structure having a fixed pipingsystem implemented therein to supply breathable air from a source acrossthe safety system is disclosed. The safety system includes a dataprocessing device executing instructions associated with a computingplatform thereon to integrate the computing platform with a set ofsensors associated with a number of components of the safety system, anda mobile data processing device communicatively coupled to the dataprocessing device through a computer network. The mobile data processingdevice executes instructions associated with a component of thecomputing platform thereon to, in accordance with the integration of thecomputing platform with the set of sensors, monitor the safety systemand/or one or more component(s) of the number of components thereofremotely based on collecting a number of parameters of the number ofcomponents of the safety system and/or of access thereof throughdetection of the number of parameters via the set of sensors. The numberof parameters includes one or more parameter(s) related to thebreathable air and/or access of the breathable air.

In yet another aspect, a safety system of a structure having a fixedpiping system implemented therein to supply breathable air from a sourceacross the safety system is disclosed. The safety system includes a setof sensors associated with a number of components of the safety system,with the set of sensors integrated with a computing platform executingon a data processing device, and a mobile data processing devicecommunicatively coupled to the data processing device through a computernetwork. The mobile data processing device executes a component of thecomputing platform thereon to, in accordance with the integration of thecomputing platform with the set of sensors, monitor the safety systemand/or one or more component(s) of the number of components thereofremotely based on collecting a number of parameters of the number ofcomponents of the safety system and/or of access thereof throughdetection of the number of parameters via the set of sensors. The numberof parameters includes one or more parameter(s) related to breathableair from a source within the safety system supplied thereacross via afixed piping system implemented therein and/or access of the breathableair.

Other features will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and fromthe detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of this invention are illustrated by way of example andnot limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in whichlike references indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic and an illustrative view of a safety systemassociated with a structure, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the safety system of FIG. 1 with elementsthereof integrated therewithin in detail, according to one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the air monitoring system of the safetysystem of FIGS. 1-2 , according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an emergency air fill station of thesafety system of FIGS. 1-2 , according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an air storage system of the safety systemof FIGS. 1-2 , according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a computing platform relevant to thesafety system of FIGS. 1-2 implemented through a server, according toone or more embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a data processing device of FIGS. 2-6 ,according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 8 is an example user interface view of a component of the computingplatform of FIG. 6 executing on the data processing device of FIGS. 2-7.

FIG. 9 is another example user interface view of the component of thecomputing platform of FIG. 6 executing on the data processing device ofFIGS. 2-7 .

FIG. 10 is a dashboard view of the component of the computing platformof FIG. 6 executing on the data processing device of FIGS. 2-7 .

FIG. 11 is a process flow diagram detailing the operations involved inmobile data processing device based remote monitoring of a safety systemof a structure providing access to breathable air, according to one ormore embodiments.

Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent from theaccompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments, as described below, may be used to provide a methodand/or systems of mobile data processing device based remote monitoringof a safety system of a structure providing access to breathable air.Although the present embodiments have been described with reference tospecific example embodiments, it will be evident that variousmodifications and changes may be made to these embodiments withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a safety system 100 associated with a structure 102,according to one or more embodiments. In one or more embodiments, safetysystem 100 may be a Firefighter Air Replenishment System (FARS) toenable firefighters entering structure 102 in times of fire-relatedemergencies to gain access to breathable (e.g., human breathable) air(e.g., breathable air 103) in-house without the need of bringing in airbottles/cylinders to be transported up several flights of stairs ofstructure 102 or deep thereinto, or to refill depleted airbottles/cylinders that are brought into structure 102. In one or moreembodiments, safety system 100 may supply breathable air provided from asupply of air tanks (to be discussed) stored in structure 102. When afire department vehicle arrives at structure 102 during an emergency,breathable air supply typically may be provided through a source of airconnected to said vehicle. In one or more embodiments, safety system 100may enable firefighters to refill air bottles/cylinders thereof atemergency air fill stations (to be discussed) located throughoutstructure 102. Specifically, in some embodiments, firefighters may beable to fill air bottles/cylinders thereof at emergency air fillstations within structure 102 under full respiration in less than one totwo minutes.

In one or more embodiments, structure 102 may encompass verticalbuilding structures, horizontal building structures (e.g., shoppingmalls, hypermarts, extended shopping, storage and/or warehousing relatedstructures), tunnels, marine craft (e.g., large marine vessels such ascruise ships, cargo ships, submarines and large naval craft, which maybe “floating” versions of buildings and horizontal structures) andmines. Other structures are within the scope of the exemplaryembodiments discussed herein. In one or more embodiments, safety system100 may include a fixed piping system 104 permanently installed withinstructure 102 serving as a constant source of replenishment ofbreathable air 103. Fixed piping system 104 may be regarded as beinganalogous to a water piping system within structure 102 or anotherstructure analogous thereto for the sake of imaginative convenience.

As shown in FIG. 1 , fixed piping system 104 may distribute breathableair 103 across floors/levels of structure 102. For the aforementionedpurpose, fixed piping system 104 may distribute breathable air 103 froman air storage system 106 (e.g., within structure 102) including anumber of air storage tanks 108 _(1-N) that serve as sources ofpressurized/compressed air (e.g., breathable air 103). Additionally, inone or more embodiments, fixed piping system 104 may interconnect with amobile air unit 110 (e.g., a fire vehicle) through an External MobileAir Connection (EMAC) panel 112.

In one or more embodiments, EMAC panel 112 may be a boxed structure(e.g., exterior to structure 102) to enable the interconnection betweenmobile air unit 110 and safety system 100. For example, mobile air unit110 may include an on-board air compressor to store and replenishpressurized/compressed air (e.g., breathable air analogous to breathableair 103) in air bottles/cylinders (e.g., utilizable with Self-ContainedBreathing Apparatuses (SCBAs) carried by firefighters). Mobile air unit110 may also include other pieces of air supply/distribution equipment(e.g., piping and/or air cylinders/bottles) that may be able to leveragethe sources of breathable air 103 within safety system 100 through EMACpanel 112. Firefighters, for example, may be able to fill breathable air(e.g., breathable air 103, breathable air analogous to breathable air103) into air bottles/cylinders (e.g., spare bottles, bottles requiringreplenishment of breathable air) carried on mobile air unit 110 throughsafety system 100.

In FIG. 1 , EMAC panel 112 is shown at two locations merely for the sakeof illustrative convenience. In one or more embodiments, an airmonitoring system 150 may be installed as part of safety system 100 toautomatically track and monitor a parameter (e.g., pressure) and/or aquality (e.g., indicated by moisture levels, carbon monoxide levels) ofbreathable air 103 within safety system 100. FIG. 1 shows air monitoringsystem 150 as communicatively coupled to air storage system 106 and EMACpanel 112 merely for the sake of example. It should be noted that EMACpanel 112 may be at a remote location associated with (e.g., internalto, external to) structure 102. In one or more embodiments, formonitoring the parameters and/or the quality of breathable air withinsafety system 100, air monitoring system 150 include appropriate sensorsand circuitries therein. For example, a pressure sensor (to bediscussed) within air monitoring system 150 may automatically sense andrecord a pressure of breathable air 103 of safety system 100. Saidpressure sensor may communicate with an alarm system that is triggeredwhen the sensed pressure is outside a safety range. Also, in one or moreembodiments, air monitoring system 150 may automatically trigger ashutdown of breathable air distribution through safety system 100 incase of impurity/contaminant (e.g., carbon monoxide) detectiontherethrough yielding levels above a safety/predetermined threshold.

In one or more embodiments, fixed piping system 104 may include pipes(e.g., constituted out of stainless steel tubing) that distributebreathable air 103 to a number of emergency air fill stations 120 _(1-P)within structure 102. In one example implementation, each emergency airfill station 120 _(1-P) may be located at a specific level of structure102. If structure 102 is regarded as a vertical building structure, anemergency air fill station 120 _(1-P) may be located at each of abasement level, a first floor level, a second floor level and so on. Forexample, emergency air fill station 120 _(1-P) may be located at the endof the flight of stairs that emergency fighting personnel (e.g.,firefighting personnel) need to climb to reach a specific floor levelwithin the vertical building structure.

In one or more embodiments, an emergency air fill station 120 _(1-P) maybe a static location within a level of structure 102 that providesemergency personnel 122 (e.g., firefighters, emergency responders) withthe ability to rapidly fill air bottles/cylinders (e.g., SCBA cylinders)with breathable air 103. In one or more embodiments, emergency air fillstation 120 _(1-P) may be an emergency air fill panel or a rupturecontainment air fill station. In one or more embodiments, proximate eachemergency air fill station 120 _(1-P), safety system 100 may include anisolation valve 1601-P to isolate a corresponding emergency air fillstation 120 _(1-P) from a rest of safety system 100. For example, saidisolation may be achieved through the manual turning of isolation valve1601-P proximate the corresponding emergency air fill station 120 _(1-P)or remotely (e.g., based on automatic turning) from air monitoringsystem 150. In one example implementation, air monitoring system 150 maymaintain breathable air supply to a subset of emergency air fillstations 120 _(1-P) via fixed piping system 104 through control of acorresponding subset of isolation valves 1601-P and may isolate theother emergency air fill stations 120 _(1-P) from the breathable airsupply. It should be noted that configurations and components of safetysystem 100 may vary from the example safety system 100 of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 2 shows safety system 100 with elements thereof integratedtherewithin in detail, according to one or more embodiments. In one ormore embodiments, safety system 100 may include air monitoring system150 discussed above communicatively coupled to fixed piping system 104,to which emergency air fill stations 120 _(1-P) are also coupled. In oneor more embodiments, as seen above, the source of breathable air 103 maybe air storage system 106. In one or more embodiments, safety system 100may also include an isolation and bypass control system 202 that isconstituted by a set of electrical, mechanical and/or electroniccomponents working together to automatically include and/or bypass oneor more emergency air fill station(s) 120 _(1-P) based on detection ofanomalous air parameters, as will be discussed below. For theaforementioned purpose, in one or more embodiments, isolation valve(s)160 _(1-P) associated with the aforementioned emergency air fillstations 120 _(1-P) may be controlled (e.g., by opening or closing oneor more of said isolation valves 160 _(1-P)) by isolation and bypasscontrol system 202.

Further, in one or more embodiments, safety system 100 may include abackup power unit 204 (e.g., an electrical power system with electronicintegration) to ensure uninterrupted power to components of safetysystem 100 during emergencies (e.g., a power cut, a mains power issue, afire accident effected power issue). For the aforementioned purpose, inone or more embodiments, backup power unit 204 may be switched on in thecase of a power related emergency with respect to a main power unit 206(e.g., Alternating Current (AC) mains power, Direct Current (DC) power)associated with safety system 100.

In one or more embodiments, one or more or all of the abovementionedcomponents of safety system 100 may be integrated with sensor(s) todetect parameters of use therewithin. In one or more embodiments, one ormore of the aforementioned components may be communicatively coupledthrough a computer network 208 (e.g., a Local Area Network (LAN), a WideArea Network (WAN), the Internet, a cloud computing network, ashort-range communication network based on Bluetooth®, WiFi® and thelike) to a remote server 210 (e.g., a network of servers, a singleserver, a distributed network of servers, a command room serverassociated with safety system 100 and so on). As will be discussedbelow, in one or more embodiments, server 210 may obtain said parametersof use and other data from safety system 100 and perform analysis (e.g.,predictive, non-predictive) thereof.

In addition, in one or more embodiments, safety system 100 may include adata processing device 212 (e.g., a mobile device such as a mobilephone, a tablet and an iPad®, a laptop, a desktop) also communicativelycoupled to one or more components or each component of safety system 100and server 210 through computer network 208. Thus, in one or moreembodiments, one or more components or each component of safety system100 may have interfaces (not explicitly shown) for wirelesscommunication through computer network 208. Also, as will be discussedbelow, in one or more embodiments, wherever possible, elements (e.g.,handheld Thermal Imaging Cameras (TICs), portable TICs, aerial TICs,video cameras, output audio devices, output light devices, one or moreor all sensors discussed herein) may be Internet of Things (IoT) devicescapable of collecting and feeding data to server 210 through computernetwork 208. In one or more embodiments, IoT devices (or IoT enableddevices) may be devices and/or components with programmable hardwarethat can transmit data over computer networks (e.g., computer network208 such as the Internet and/or other networks); said IoT devices mayinclude or be associated with edge devices (not shown) to control dataflow at the boundaries to computer network 208.

It should be noted that both server 210 and data processing device 212may both be remote from structure 102. In some embodiments, server 210or data processing device 212 alone may be remote from structure 102. Insome other embodiments, both server 210 and data processing device 212may be within structure 102.

FIG. 3 shows air monitoring system 150, according to one or moreembodiments. In one or more embodiments, air monitoring system 150 mayinclude one or more air parameter sensors 302 _(1-R) configured to senseparameters 304 associated with breathable air 103 such as pressure,temperature, oxygen content, carbon monoxide content, hydrocarboncontent and moisture content; other parameters (e.g., air qualityparameter(s), non-air quality parameter(s)) are within the scope of theexemplary embodiments discussed herein. In one or more embodiments, airmonitoring system 150 may include a processor 306 (e.g., amicrocontroller, a processor core, a single processor) communicativelycoupled to a memory 308 (e.g., a volatile and/or a non-volatile memory);FIG. 3 shows air parameter sensors 302 _(1-R) interfaced with processor306. In one or more embodiments, data sensed by the aforementioned airparameter sensors 302 _(1-R) may be part of sensor data 310 stored inmemory 308; parameters 304 sensed may be part of sensor data 310.

In one or more embodiments, threshold values/ranges (e.g., thresholdparameters 312) for parameters 304 sensed may also be stored in memory308. In one or more embodiments, detecting through processor 306 inconjunction with one or more air parameter sensors 302 _(1-R) that oneor more parameters 304 is outside (e.g., below, above, outside)threshold parameters 312 may cause communication of anomalies (e.g.,detected anomaly data 314 stored in memory 308) to server 210 throughcomputer network 208 in accordance with the IoT capabilities discussedabove. In one or more embodiments, threshold parameters 312 may beselected, controlled and/or set based on standards thereof such asNational Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, OccupationalSafety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and/or Compressed GasAssociation (CGA) standards.

FIG. 4 shows an emergency air fill station 120 _(1-P), according to oneor more embodiments. Again, in one or more embodiments, emergency airfill station 120 _(1-P) may include one or more environment sensors 402_(1-B) integrated therewith configured to sense parameters 404 (e.g.,temperature, ambient light) of an environment (e.g., externalenvironment 450) in an immediate vicinity of emergency air fill station120 _(1-P). In one or more embodiments, environment sensors 402 _(1-B)may also sense access (e.g., access parameters 406 that are part ofparameters 404 in FIG. 4 ) of emergency air fill station 120 _(1-P) byemergency personnel 122 (e.g., maintenance personnel, firefighters,emergency responders). Example access parameters 406 may include but arenot limited to identifier 452 of emergency personnel 122, date of access454 mapped to identifier 452, time of access 456 mapped to identifier452, a frequency of access 458 and fill pressures 460 (e.g., pressuresto which breathable air 103 is filled in air bottles/cylinders discussedabove) mapped to identifier 452, time of access 456 and/or date ofaccess 454.

In one or more embodiments, again based on sensed parameters 404 beingoutside (e.g., more than, less than, outside a range) thresholdvalues/ranges (e.g., threshold parameters 408) based on the IoTcapabilities discussed herein, anomalies in parameters 404 may bedetected and collected at emergency air fill station 120 _(1-P) andtransmitted to server 210 through computer network 208. In one or moreembodiments, as shown in FIG. 4 , emergency air fill station 120 _(1-P)may include a processor 472 (e.g., a microcontroller, a processor core,a single processor) communicatively coupled to a memory 474 (e.g., avolatile and/or a non-volatile memory). In one or more embodiments,environment sensors 402 _(1-B) may be interfaced with processor 472 andall of the abovementioned data/parameters may be stored in memory 474,as shown in FIG. 4 .

FIG. 4 also shows TICs 410 as part of safety system 100 and in externalenvironment 450 of emergency air fill station 120 _(1-P), according toone or more embodiments. In one or more embodiments, TICs 410 may beinfrared cameras that sense infrared energy of objects to renderimages/video frames thereof corresponding to surface temperatures ofsaid objects. In one or more embodiments, emergency personnel 122 mayemploy said TICs 410 to detect obstacles on the paths to/aroundemergency air fill stations 120 _(1-P) under low visibility; this mayenable emergency personnel 122 perform rescue operations efficiently. Asdiscussed and implied above, TICs 410 may be integrated with IoTcapabilities to transmit data to server 210 through computer network208. Said data may be part of access parameters 406 or separate data(e.g., TIC use data 412) transmitted to server 210.

It should be noted that the sensing, detection and/or transmission ofdata to server 210 discussed above with regard to emergency air fillstation 120 _(1-P) may also be performed at a device external toemergency air fill station 120 _(1-P). In such implementations, theexternal device itself may obviously be a component of safety system 100with IoT/wireless communication capabilities. All reasonable variationsare within the scope of the exemplary embodiments discussed herein.

FIG. 5 shows air storage system 106, according to one or moreembodiments. Again, as discussed above, in one or more embodiments, airstorage system 106 may have IoT/wireless communication capabilitiesembedded therein or in a device external thereto that is communicativelycoupled to air storage system 106. In one or more embodiments, airstorage system 106 may include a processor 502 (e.g., a microcontroller,a processor core, a single processor) communicatively coupled to amemory 504 (e.g., a volatile and/or a non-volatile memory). Again, inone or more embodiments, air storage system 106 may include one or moresensors 506 _(1-C) configured to sense parameters (e.g., parameters 508stored in memory 504) associated with air storage system 106; sensors506 _(1-C) are shown interfaced with processor 502 Example parameters508 sensed may include but are not limited to system pressure 552 (e.g.,pressure at which breathable air 103 is output from air storage system106), leakage 554 (e.g., leakage of breathable air 103 from air storagetanks 108 _(1-N)) and output flow rate 556 (e.g., rate of flow ofbreathable air 103 out of air storage system 106). In one or moreembodiments, parameters 508 may be transmitted to server 210 throughcomputer network 208 for processing and/or analysis thereat.

Again, in one or more embodiments, anomalies based on parameters 508being outside thresholds/ranges (e.g., threshold parameters 510 storedin memory 504) may be detected through sensors 506 _(1-C) (e.g., flowrate sensors, pressure sensors). FIG. 5 shows anomaly data 512 relevantto the aforementioned detected anomalies also transmitted to server 210through computer network 208, according to one or more embodiments.

It should be noted that FIGS. 3-5 merely relate to example components ofsafety system 100 with which sensors/IoT devices are integrated and thatintegration of sensors/IoT devices with any other component (e.g.,backup power unit 204 to sense frequency and/or duration of use thereof,isolation and bypass control system 202 to sense a frequency ofbypass/isolation of emergency air fill stations 120 _(1-P), turningon/off of isolation valves 160 _(1-P) and so on) thereof conceivable iswithin the scope of the exemplary embodiments discussed herein.Referring back to FIG. 4 , identifier 452 within access parameters 406relevant to access of emergency air fill station 120 _(1-P) may alsoencompass a key fob based identification, a Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) based access, a Non-Fungible Token (NFT) basedaccess, keys and/or access through an application component (e.g.,component 706 to be discussed below) executing on data processing device212. All reasonable variations are within the scope of the exemplaryembodiments discussed herein.

FIG. 6 shows a computing platform 600 relevant to the FARS of safetysystem 100 implemented through server 210, according to one or moreembodiments. In one or more embodiments, server 210 may be a distributed(e.g., across a cloud) network of servers, a cluster of servers or astandalone server. As shown in FIG. 6 , server 210 may include aprocessor 602 (e.g., a processor core, a network of processors, a singleprocessor), communicatively coupled to a memory 604 (e.g., a volatileand/or a non-volatile memory). In one or more embodiments, memory 604may include a safety engine 606 associated with the FARS stored thereinand executable through processor 602. FIG. 6 shows memory 604 asincluding data (e.g., detected, sensed, anomalies) from one or morecomponents of safety system 100; the limited amount of data shown mustnot be considered as limiting the scope of the exemplary embodimentsdiscussed herein. In one or more embodiments, safety engine 606 may haveone or more predictive and/or non-predictive algorithms (e.g.,predictive and/or non-predictive algorithms 608) including ArtificialIntelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) based algorithms stored therein.

In one or more embodiments, execution of predictive and/ornon-predictive algorithms 608 through processor 602 may involve takingthe abovementioned data and profiling the FARS implemented as safetysystem 100. It should be noted that each of the aforementioned data(e.g., parameters 304, parameters 404, access parameters 406, parameters508, anomaly data 314, anomaly data 512) may be real-time data fromelements of safety system 100. In one or more embodiments, analysis ofthe data may result in beneficial decision making with regard tomaintenance of safety system 100, safety of safety system 100 and/orefficiency thereof. For example, anomalies discussed above may beanalyzed based on date, time and/or frequency thereof to predict that aspecific duration of time in a winter season is associated withdiminished characteristics of a component of safety system 100. Allpossible analyses are within the scope of the exemplary embodimentsdiscussed herein.

In one or more embodiments, server 210 may also be utilized to remotelytest and/or trigger operations of one or more components of safetysystem 100. FIG. 6 shows a trigger signal 610 communicated to airmonitoring system 150 to get data thereof discussed above from processor306, according to one or more embodiments. In some implementations, thecomponents of safety system 100 may automatically transmit data thereofto server 210 and in some others, server 210 may transmit triggersignals (e.g., trigger signal 610) therefor. FIG. 6 also shows resultsof analysis/prediction through safety engine 606 as analysis resultsdata 612, prediction results data 614 and plot data 616 (e.g., relatedto graphically plotting the results of analyses). Further, FIG. 6 showsdata processing device 212 communicatively coupled to server 210 throughcomputer network 208 as part of computing platform 600, according to oneor more embodiments.

FIG. 7 shows data processing device 212 (e.g., a mobile phone, a tablet,a smart device, a laptop) in detail, according to one or moreembodiments. In one or more embodiments, again, data processing device212 may include a processor 702 (e.g., a single processor, a processorcore) communicatively coupled to a memory 704 (e.g., a volatile and/or anon-volatile memory). In one or more embodiments, memory 704 may includea component 706 of safety engine 606 stored therein and enabled/providedthrough processor 602 of server 210. FIG. 7 shows component 706 as afire safety application 750 merely for example purposes. Again, in oneor more embodiments, access to the data of one or more components ofsafety system 100 may be available to data processing device 212 viacomponent 706 (e.g., through computer network 208 via safety engine 606of server 210). FIG. 7 also shows capabilities to control components ofsafety system 100 through data processing device 212 via triggersignals; FIG. 7 specifically shows a trigger signal 708 to initiatecollection of data from air monitoring system 150 merely for examplepurposes. Again, in some implementations, data may be automaticallycommunicated to data processing device 212 and in some others, dataprocessing device 212 may trigger (e.g., through trigger signal 708)collection thereof.

In one or more embodiments, access of emergency air fill station 120_(1-P) through component 706 may cause collection of identifier 452discussed above as part of access parameters 406. FIG. 8 shows anexample user interface 800 provided via component 706 (e.g., fire safetyapplication 750) executing on data processing device 212. Here, userinterface 800 shows plot data 616 discussed above that may be based onone or more examples of data discussed above and/or analysis resultsdata 612; plot data 616 in FIG. 8 is an evolution of system pressure 552over a scale of time. Obviously, emergency personnel 122 and/or otherusers associated with data processing device 212 may access userinterface 800 after authentication thereof via computing platform 600and/or navigating to user interface 800. All reasonable variations arewithin the scope of the exemplary embodiments discussed herein.

Thus, exemplary embodiments discussed herein provide for an integratedFARS computing platform (e.g., computing platform 600) that enablescollection and/or analysis of real-time data from one or more componentsof safety system 100 and/or control (e.g., remotely) thereof. Further,the integrated FARS computing platform may provide for profiling ofsafety system 100 and/or emergency personnel 122 and/or remotemanagement of requirements associated with safety system 100. Forexample, the profiling may involve utilizing (e.g., through safetyengine 606) historical data (e.g., historical data 618 stored in memory604 of server 210) from one or more components of safety system 100and/or generic safety systems data (e.g., safety systems data 620 storedin memory 604 of server 210) from one or more safety systems other thansafety system 100 to arrive at parts of analysis results data 612,prediction results data 614 and/or plot data 616. Again, as discussedabove, in one or more embodiments, the integrated FARS computingplatform may provide for quick decision making on the part ofmaintenance personnel, administrative personnel and/or emergencypersonnel (e.g., emergency personnel 122) associated with safety system100; statistical analyses and/or data gathering and/or predictive and/ornon-predictive analyses may also be enabled through the integrated FARScomputing platform.

Also, in one or more embodiments, analogous analyses and/or predictionmay also be performed at data processing device 212 based on enablementthereof through component 706. Further, it should be noted thatdetection of anomalies (e.g., anomaly data 314, anomaly data 512) may beperformed through server 210 based on execution of safety engine 606discussed above instead of or in addition to the detection thereof atthe respective components. Last but not the least, as computing platform600 may be enabled through the execution of safety engine 606, which, inturn, may enable component 706, both safety engine 606 and component 706may be interpreted as computing platform 600 executing on server 210 anddata processing device 212 respectively. In some scenarios, safetyengine 606 and component 706 and server 210 and data processing device212 corresponding thereto may be the same. All reasonable variations arewithin the scope of the exemplary embodiments discussed herein.

It should be noted that, in some embodiments, server 210 may beimplemented in conjunction with a control room (not shown) withinstructure 102 or external thereto. In one or more embodiments, saidcontrol room may be associated with administrative personnel,maintenance personnel, security personnel and/or emergency responders,all of which may be examples of emergency personnel 122. In someimplementations, server 210 (or, the control room) may authenticateemergency personnel 122 to enable access thereof to various componentsof safety system 100. For example, emergency personnel 122 may obtain atemporary identification pass from the control room; in another example,server 210 may assign an access key to emergency personnel 122implementable/enabled through component 706/fire safety application 750.The IoT integration discussed herein may enable emergency personnel 122gain access to one or more components (e.g., air monitoring system 150,emergency air fill station 120 _(1-P), air storage system 106) of safetysystem 100 through the assigned access key. FIGS. 6-7 show access keys622 including the aforementioned generated access key stored in memory604 and memory 704 of server 210 and data processing device 212respectively.

In one example implementation, emergency personnel 122 may carry dataprocessing device 212 thereof to a specific component (say, emergencyair fill station 1201-P) of safety system 100. The IoT capabilitydiscussed above with regard to emergency air fill station 120 _(1-P) mayenable emergency air fill station 120 _(1-P) to authenticate emergencypersonnel 122 to provide access thereof based on reading access key 622from fire safety application 750 executing on data processing device 212wirelessly. Here, server 210 executing safety engine 606 may haveconfigured emergency air fill station 120 _(1-P) (e.g., processor 472)with the capability to read access key 622 from data processing device212. Alternatively or additionally, server 210 may dynamicallyauthenticate emergency personnel 122 based on proximity of dataprocessing device 212 thereof to emergency air fill station 120 _(1-P)automatically triggering transmission of a message to server 210 fromcomponent 706/emergency air fill station 120 _(1-P); server 210, inturn, may transmit a trigger signal (e.g., trigger signal 610) toemergency air fill station 120 _(1-P) to provide emergency personnel 122access thereto. In yet another implementation, emergency personnel 122may (remotely, non-remotely) self-authenticate based on entering accesskey 622 thereof via fire safety application 750.

Referring back to air storage system 106 and FIG. 5 , in addition to airstorage tanks 108 _(1-N), in some implementations, air storage system106 may include one or more primary source tanks 570 _(1-K) in whichbreathable air 103 is maintained at an appropriate pressure (e.g., 5500Pounds per Square Inch (PSP), 4500 PSI). In one or more embodiments,these primary source tanks 570 _(1-K) may be coupled to air storagetanks 108 _(1-N) and may be utilized to provide breathable air 103distributed via fixed piping system 104 and accessible via emergency airfill stations 120 _(1-P). In one or more embodiments, breathable air 103from air storage tanks 108 _(1-N) may flow to primary source tanks 570_(1-K) in a regulated manner such that a pressure of breathable air 103within primary source tanks 570 _(1-K) may be at an optimum levelrequired to fill air bottles/cylinders of SCBAs. In one or moreembodiments, a booster pump 580 may be coupled between air storage tanks108 _(1-N) and primary source tanks 570 _(1-K) to enable transfer (e.g.,enhanced/pressure-boosted transfer) of breathable air 103 from airstorage tanks 108 _(1-N) to primary source tanks 570 _(1-K) as and whenrequired (e.g., when breathable air 103 in primary source tanks 570_(1-K) is depleted, when pressure of breathable air 103 in primarysource tanks 570 _(1-K) drops below a threshold level thereof). In oneor more embodiments, control of booster pump 580 and calibration thereofmay be effected through sensors 506 _(1-C) (e.g., trackingdepletion/pressure of breathable air 103 in air storage tanks 108_(1-N)) and processor 502 and/or remotely through server 210/dataprocessing device 212.

Referring back to air monitoring system 150 and FIG. 3 , air parametersensors 302 _(1-R) may also be configured to collect test data 316(e.g., real-time) from breathable air 103 based on trigger signals(e.g., trigger signal 610, trigger signal 708) from server 210/dataprocessing device 212. In other words, emergency personnel 122 at server210/data processing device 212 may also trigger the automatic collectionof test data 316 (e.g., stored in memory 308 and transmittable to memory604/704 of server 210/data processing device 212) from breathable air103. For the aforementioned purpose, in one or more embodiments,breathable air 103 may pass through a specific collection chamber (notshown) within air monitoring system 150 and parameters 304 thereofcollected as part of test data 316. In some implementations, airmonitoring system 150 may be automatically configured through server210/safety engine 606 to collect test data 316 as part of maintenance,analysis and/or regulatory requirements of safety system 100.

FIG. 9 shows another example user interface 900 provided via component706 (e.g., fire safety application 750) executing on data processingdevice 212. Here, user interface 900 may, in conjunction with safetyengine 606/component 706, provide an emergency notification (e.g.,emergency situations such as a fire, polluted breathable air 103 and soon) via an emergency notification tab 902 thereof. Emergency personnel122 may be provided the opportunity to respond to said emergencynotification through response tabs 904 such as an isolation and bypasscontrol tab 906 to control isolation and bypass control system 202 toexclude one or more emergency air fill stations 120 _(1-P), an automaticpurging tab 908 to automatically purge breathable air 103 through safetysystem 100 and a lights tab 910 to automatically turn on lights in areasassociated with emergency air fill station(s) 120 _(1-P) to aidemergency personnel 122 in rescue operations thereof. Other responsetabs 904 are within the scope of the exemplary embodiments discussedherein. Other options such as a sensor recalibration tab 912 torecalibrate one or more sensor(s) within one or more components ofsafety system 100 are also shown as part of user interface 900.

FIG. 10 shows an example dashboard 1000 (another user interface) shownvia component 706 (e.g., fire safety application 750) of data processingdevice 212. Here, dashboard 1000 may show system pressure 552 ofbreathable air 103 at a current floor level (e.g., fifth floor) ofstructure 102, ambient temperature 1002 (e.g., sensed throughenvironment sensors 402 _(1-B)), booster pump requirements 1004 (e.g.,requirement(s) to activate booster pump 580 to supply enhancedbreathable air 103 to primary source tanks 570 _(1-K)) and so on.Dashboard 1000 may also show maintenance status 1006 of safety system100 and notifications 1008 relevant to proper maintenance thereof.Dashboard 100 may further show a test tab 1010 to trigger testing ofbreathable air 103 through safety system 100. Other example tabs andcomponents of dashboard 1000 are within the scope of the exemplaryembodiments discussed herein.

FIG. 11 shows a process flow diagram detailing the operations involvedin mobile data processing device based remote monitoring of a safetysystem (e.g., safety system 100) of a structure (e.g., structure 102)providing access to breathable air (e.g., breathable air 103) from asource (e.g., air storage system 106) via a fixed piping system (e.g.,fixed piping system 104) implemented therein, according to one or moreembodiments. In one or more embodiments, operation 1102 may involveintegrating a computing platform (e.g., computing platform 600, safetyengine 606) executing on a data processing device (e.g., server 210)with a set of sensors (e.g., air parameter sensors 302 _(1-R),environment sensors 402 _(1-B), sensors 506 _(1-C)) associated with anumber of components (e.g., air monitoring system 150, emergency airfill station 120 _(1-P), air storage system 106) of the safety system.In one or more embodiments, operation 1104 may involve executing acomponent (e.g., component 706) of the computing platform on a mobiledata processing device (e.g., data processing device 212)communicatively coupled to the data processing device through a computernetwork (e.g., computer network 208).

In one or more embodiments, operation 1106 may then involve, inaccordance with the execution of the component of the computing platformon the mobile data processing device and the integration of thecomputing platform with the set of sensors, monitoring, through themobile data processing device, the safety system and/or one or morecomponents of the number of components thereof remotely based oncollecting a number of parameters (e.g., parameters 304, parameters 404,parameters 508) of the number of components of the safety system and/orof access (e.g., access parameters 406) thereof through detection of thenumber of parameters via the set of sensors. In one or more embodiments,the number of parameters may include one or more parameter(s) (e.g.,system pressure 552, leakage 554, output flow rate 556, fill pressures460) related to the breathable air and/or access of the breathable air.

Although the present embodiments have been described with reference tospecific example embodiments, it will be evident that variousmodifications and changes may be made to these embodiments withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments.

A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will beunderstood that various modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the claimed invention. In addition, the logicflows depicted in the figures do not require the particular order shown,or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In addition, othersteps may be provided, or steps may be eliminated, from the describedflows, and other components may be added to, or removed from, thedescribed systems. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scopeof the following claims.

The structures and modules in the figures may be shown as distinct andcommunicating with only a few specific structures and not others. Thestructures may be merged with each other, may perform overlappingfunctions, and may communicate with other structures not shown to beconnected in the figures. Accordingly, the specification and/or drawingsmay be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of a safety system of a structure havinga fixed piping system implemented therein to supply breathable air froma source across the safety system, comprising: integrating a computingplatform executing on a data processing device with a set of sensorsassociated with a plurality of components of the safety system;executing a component of the computing platform on a mobile dataprocessing device communicatively coupled to the data processing devicethrough a computer network; and in accordance with the execution of thecomponent of the computing platform on the mobile data processing deviceand the integration of the computing platform with the set of sensors,through the mobile data processing device, monitoring at least one of:the safety system and at least one component of the plurality ofcomponents thereof remotely based on collecting a plurality ofparameters at least one of: of the plurality of components of the safetysystem and of access thereof through detection of the plurality ofparameters via the set of sensors, the plurality of parameterscomprising at least one parameter related to at least one of: thebreathable air and access of the breathable air.
 2. The method of claim1, comprising the data processing device and the mobile data processingdevice communicatively coupled to the data processing device being thesame.
 3. The method of claim 1, comprising monitoring the at least oneof: the safety system and the at least one component through the mobiledata processing device remotely based on at least one of: at least oneof: predictively and non-predictively analyzing the plurality ofparameters collected through at least one of: the data processing deviceand the mobile data processing device; and profiling the safety systemin accordance with the at least one of: the predictive and thenon-predictive analysis of the plurality of parameters collected.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising collecting at least one anomaly inthe plurality of parameters based on detecting, at least one of: throughthe mobile data processing device, the data processing device and atleast one sensor of the set of sensors, that a corresponding at leastone parameter of the plurality of parameters is outside a predeterminedthreshold.
 5. The method of claim 1, comprising the component of thecomputing platform being an application executing on the mobile dataprocessing device.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprisingtriggering the collection of the plurality of parameters via a userinterface provided through the component of the computing platformexecuting on the mobile data processing device.
 7. The method of claim1, comprising at least one of: the at least one component of theplurality of components of the safety system being Internet of Things(IoT) enabled; and the plurality of parameters of the at least one of:of the plurality of components of the safety system and of the accessthereof being real-time parameters.
 8. A safety system of a structurehaving a fixed piping system implemented therein to supply breathableair from a source across the safety system, comprising: a dataprocessing device executing instructions associated with a computingplatform thereon to integrate the computing platform with a set ofsensors associated with a plurality of components of the safety system;and a mobile data processing device communicatively coupled to the dataprocessing device through a computer network, the mobile data processingdevice executing instructions associated with a component of thecomputing platform thereon to, in accordance with the integration of thecomputing platform with the set of sensors, monitor at least one of: thesafety system and at least one component of the plurality of componentsthereof remotely based on collecting a plurality of parameters at leastone of: of the plurality of components of the safety system and ofaccess thereof through detection of the plurality of parameters via theset of sensors, the plurality of parameters comprising at least oneparameter related to at least one of: the breathable air and access ofthe breathable air.
 9. The safety system of claim 8, wherein the dataprocessing device and the mobile data processing device communicativelycoupled to the data processing device are the same.
 10. The safetysystem of claim 8, wherein the mobile data processing device executesthe instructions associated with the component of the computing platformto monitor the at least one of: the safety system and the at least onecomponent remotely based on at least one of: at least one of:predictively and non-predictively analyzing the plurality of parameterscollected through at least one of: the data processing device and themobile data processing device, and profiling the safety system inaccordance with the at least one of: the predictive and thenon-predictive analysis of the plurality of parameters collected. 11.The safety system of claim 8, wherein the mobile data processing devicefurther executes the instructions associated with the component of thecomputing platform to collect at least one anomaly in the plurality ofparameters based on detecting, at least one of: through the mobile dataprocessing device, the data processing device and at least one sensor ofthe set of sensors, that a corresponding at least one parameter of theplurality of parameters is outside a predetermined threshold.
 12. Thesafety system of claim 8, wherein the component of the computingplatform is an application executing on the mobile data processingdevice.
 13. The safety system of claim 8, wherein the mobile dataprocessing device further executes the instructions associated with thecomponent of the computing platform to trigger the collection of theplurality of parameters via a user interface provided through thecomponent of the computing platform.
 14. The safety system of claim 8,wherein at least one of: the at least one component of the plurality ofcomponents of the safety system is IoT enabled, and the plurality ofparameters of the at least one of: of the plurality of components of thesafety system and of the access thereof constitutes real-timeparameters.
 15. A safety system of a structure having a fixed pipingsystem implemented therein to supply breathable air from a source acrossthe safety system, comprising: a set of sensors associated with aplurality of components of the safety system, the set of sensorsintegrated with a computing platform executing on a data processingdevice; and a mobile data processing device communicatively coupled tothe data processing device through a computer network, the mobile dataprocessing device executing a component of the computing platformthereon to, in accordance with the integration of the computing platformwith the set of sensors, monitor at least one of: the safety system andat least one component of the plurality of components thereof remotelybased on collecting a plurality of parameters at least one of: of theplurality of components of the safety system and of access thereofthrough detection of the plurality of parameters via the set of sensors,the plurality of parameters comprising at least one parameter related toat least one of: the breathable air and access of the breathable air.16. The safety system of claim 15, wherein the mobile data processingdevice executes the component of the computing platform to monitor theat least one of: the safety system and the at least one componentremotely based on at least one of: at least one of: predictively andnon-predictively analyzing the plurality of parameters collected throughat least one of: the data processing device and the mobile dataprocessing device, and profiling the safety system in accordance withthe at least one of: the predictive and the non-predictive analysis ofthe plurality of parameters collected.
 17. The safety system of claim15, wherein the mobile data processing device further executes thecomponent of the computing platform to collect at least one anomaly inthe plurality of parameters based on detecting, at least one of: throughthe mobile data processing device, the data processing device and atleast one sensor of the set of sensors, that a corresponding at leastone parameter of the plurality of parameters is outside a predeterminedthreshold.
 18. The safety system of claim 15, wherein the component ofthe computing platform is an application executing on the mobile dataprocessing device.
 19. The safety system of claim 15, wherein the mobiledata processing device further executes the component of the computingplatform to trigger the collection of the plurality of parameters via auser interface provided through the component of the computing platform.20. The safety system of claim 15, wherein at least one of: the mobiledata processing device and the data processing device are the same, theat least one component of the plurality of components of the safetysystem is IoT enabled, and the plurality of parameters of the at leastone of: of the plurality of components of the safety system and of theaccess thereof constitutes real-time parameters.